A Structured Curriculum
The RSA Fellowship program lasts two years and follows a structured, standardized curriculum to fully prepare the fellow to enter into practice.
Each fellow is based at a “Host Site” with a preceptor who oversees the fellow’s training. During the program, fellows participate in several programs, courses, meetings and online sessions as a group, enhancing the experience with like-minded colleagues who work together to create a positive environment.
The fellow travels extensively to attend the following program elements:
~ CONCLAVES: Held twice each year, Conclaves bring the fellows together to provide in-depth training and skills transfer on core topics.
~ PHYSICIAN CEO®: Participation in the PHYSICIAN CEO®, a top-quality business and leadership training program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, the takes place in four 5-day “modules” over a 9-month period, starting in January during the first year of the fellowship program.
~ ELECTIVES: Fellows take up to six one-month “Electives” at other Network sites. These sites are in the US and abroad, and provide opportunities to experience different practice settings, explore research interests, gain hands-on surgical experience, and learn about the business aspects of building and running a practice.
~ FOUNDATIONS: Three “Foundations” courses prepare the fellow to participate in the innovation process. These courses are offered in 3 to 5-day programs led by Michael Mrochen, PhD, a leading ophthalmic innovator. Topics include lasers, lenses, optics, materials, intellectual property protection, the patent process, innovation, and training on how to serve on advisory boards.
~ DIDACTICS: Clinical didactics are taught in a variety of “RSA Solutions” programs such as that offered by Dan Reinstein, MD of the London Vision Clinic.
~ MEETINGS: Each fellow is expected to develop one or more projects and present the results at a major ophthalmic “Meeting” during the fellowship.
Development of high-quality surgical skills is a main emphasis of the program. Fellows are expected to perform more than 1,000 procedures during the 2-year fellowship, both at their Host Site and during electives at affiliated training sites.
Each Host Site is scheduled to have one first-year fellow and one second-year fellow. The first-year fellow is mostly occupied with learning, which the second-year fellow participates in both teaching and learning. Refractive surgery is a growing field – training incoming surgeons is a key skill for every refractive surgeon.
The cornerstone of this program is the RSA core value of collaboration. Fellows in each cohort will experience the fellowship program together and will continue their collaboration likely throughout their careers.